As production of nanoparticles for industrial purposes increases, so does the risk of leaching and environmental contamination. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are some of the most ubiquitous due to their wide range of uses. In particular, AgNPs are found in many commercial products such as athletic gear and food storage, which utilize their antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Leaching studies on various consumer products have shown that some silver does escape into waterways under normal washing conditions. Some of the AgNPs are sequestered in the normal wastewater treatment process, but some are into the water stream through treatment plant effluent. The problem is further complicated by concerns that AgNPs removed in water treatment plants may find their way back to the environment through the use of treatment plant biosolids in agriculture. The long-term effects of AgNP exposure on crops and plants are unknown, as are the effects of AgNPs on insect herbivory.<br/>In this study, AgNPs of different concentrations were synthesized using a citrate reduction and characterized with TEM and UV-vis. <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> plants were then treated with AgNPs over a period of five weeks. Following the treatment, plants were exposed to 48-hour herbivory trials, and plant damage and insect performance were subsequently assessed. Digital image analysis and customized scripts in MATLAB were used to analyze data. Initial results demonstrate obvious qualitative growth and pigmentation effects, as well as reductions in insect feeding, from AgNP treatments in doses as low as 50ppm.

Assesing the effects of silver nanoparticles on plant health and insect herbivory using mathamatical image analysis software

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.